Metal picture



'METAL PICTURE Filed Jan. 26, 1939 FMA/f" METL INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 20, 1940 i NUlSuTiaxziD STATES METAL PICTURE Julius Fred Wenton, New York, N. Y., assignor to Blanche J. Hyman, doing business as Paramount Studios, New York, N. Y.

Application January 26, 1939, Serial No. 252,939

2 Claims.

This invention relates yto metal pictures and more particularly to a photograph on metal or metal foil and to a method of making the same.

An object of the invention is to provide a picture of the above type having novel and pleasing characteristics.

Another object is to provide a simple, dependable `and commercially practical method for making said pictures.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are pointed out more particularly in the claims appended hereto, the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description, in which a specific embodiment thereof has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

The accompanying drawing shows a cross-sectional view of the picture, on an enlarged scale, with the various materials used in its production.

In accordance with the present invention, the photograph which may comprise a portrait or the like, is made in the form of -a transparent positive on a thin transparent iilm. A film of the type commonly known as"strip film is preferred. Various commercial makes of strip film may be used, such for example as Contrasto film made by the Polygraphic Company of America, Kodalithe strip film by the Eastman Company or other films of comparable quality and characteristics. The picture is preferably finished so that it is highly transparent in the high light areas and is opaque in the dark areas. In other Words, care is taken to obtain a high degree of contrast between the light and the dark areas of the film.

The film is now backed by a metal surface, such as sheet metal or metal foil. For portrait Work, the metal foil backed by a stiffening material, such as paper or the like, m-ay be used. The metal may be selected in accordance with the particular finish desired. Gold or copper, for example, may be used to produce the effect of a picture taken on such metals.

The strip film positive is novv adhesively secured to the metal surface, either sheet metal or metal foil as above mentioned, by a strongly adhesive but transparent glue. I have found that a mixture of gelatin glue and metal cement or metal glue, in which the ratio of metal glue to gelatin glue lis in the preferred range between 1 to 15 and 1 to 30, may be used. In a specific embodiment I have used a ratio of 1 to 24 and (Cl. l1-22) found the same to produce satisfactory results. The quantity of metal glue must be maintained as low as is consistent in obtaining firm and permanent adhesion, because higher quantities of metal glue increase the opacity of the mixture and tend to make the glue visible through the transparent portions of the picture. On the other hand, a sufficient quantity of metal glue must be used to obtain the desired permanent adhesion. Asa specific example, the gelatin glue may be of the type Whichis solid at room temperature and requires heating to condition the same for applying to the film. The gelatin glue may be melted and the desired quantity of metal glue or metal cement added and stirred therein. The glue is then applied either to the back of the strip lm positive or to the face ofthe metal or to both.

After the positive had been applied to the metal as above described, the excess glue may be removed by pressing the positive with a roller or a rubber pressure member or the like, which may be passed over the face of the positive without injuring the same. The picture may be used in this form but in order to improve the characteristics thereof, it is preferable to apply la wax to the surface. Any suitable wax may be used, preferably a Wax which is liquid at room temperatures. This wax may be applied to the entire surface of the picture and the picture with the Wax placed under a hot press a sufficient length of time todry the wax and to cause the same to enter the pores of the picture. In this way the picture is prevented from drying out and cracking and a permanent glossy finish is provided.

In order to positively seal the glued surface, an extra coating of metal glue or metal cement may be -applied around the edge of the positive, This causes the edges to adhere strongly to the metal surface and prevents the edges from becoming roughened up and breaking the. bond between the film and the metal. This coating may, of course, be applied prior to the waxing so that the wax will cover and protect the entire assembly.

It has been found that pictures of the above type are particularly suitable for high class portrait work. They present .the appearance of a picture taken directly on a metal surface and have a high degree of permanence.

It is to be understood, of course, that the specic details are illustrative only and that various changes and modifications may be made therein as will readily appear to a person skilled heat for a p'eriodof time to cause the Wax to be absorbed in the pores of the picture, whereby the tendency to dry out and crack is materially reduced.

2. A metal picture comprising a metal surface having a, transparent positive with hign contrast formed on strip lm and secured thereto by a transparent glue comprising a mixture of metal glue and gelatin glue and a layer of wax on the surface and into the pores of said strip lm forming a finish and rendering the film flexible.

J ULIUS FRED WENTON. 

